Joshua Brisson is the Research and Evaluation Manager at the Resilience Research Centre and has been a part of the RRC team since 2012. Josh studied Sociology at the undergraduate and graduate level at Dalhousie University and has received Honours such as: the University Medal, in recognition of his superior achievement in the field of Sociology and Social Anthropology; the Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s distinction of Academic All-Canadian; in recognition of his contributions in the fields of sport, academics and in the greater community; and a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) graduate scholarship, in recognition of his high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. While Josh’s graduate level research is in the area of cultural and sport sociology, his interest in positive child and youth development, mixed methods research design and social statistics is what led him to his current role at the RRC. As the Research and Evaluation Manager, Josh manages a diverse portfolio of local, national and international research and evaluation projects.

Simone Chia-Kangata joined the CYRRC as Project Manager in May 2017. Simone brings expertise in research and evaluation, project design, implementation and management, business management, knowledge mobilization and marketing. Simone has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies from McGill University. She has worked in the public sector and NGO sector in Ottawa, the UK, Kenya, Somaliland and Nova Scotia.

Brandon Mott works in communications and media at the Resilience Research Centre and has been a part of the team since 2012. He is currently studying to complete a Bachelor of Music at Dalhousie University. His experience and interest in graphic design, web design, videography and photography is integral to sharing and disseminating research here at the centre.

Eric Twum-Antwi is the Project Manager for the RYSE Project based at the Resilience Research Centre. Eric has a Neuroscience Specialist Degree from the University of Toronto and holds a Master of Medicine, specializing in Public Health with Health Economics, from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Eric brings expertise in addressing youth mental health issues related to at risk behaviours and unemployment in his work within Canada, Sweden, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia; as an advocate for youth capacity building, career development and leadership.

Philip Jefferies is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Resilience Research Centre. Phil completed his bachelors and masters in psychology at the University of Exeter in the UK, and his PhD at Dublin City University in Ireland. His research focused on how persons with disabilities live with and use assistive technologies and what it means to be ‘just normal’. He has held lecturing positions in Ireland and Fiji and undertaken a range of diverse research roles. Phil is interested in areas of resilience, mental health and well-being, assistive technology usage, and advancing methodologies.

Dr. Marlos Alves Bezerra is an Assistant Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) in Natal, Brazil. Dr. Bezerra’s research interests include Action Research with youth in stressed contexts; resilience and social resistance in the urban periphery; and art based intervention with youth and stigmatized groups. Dr. Bezerra is currently at Dalhousie University as a Visiting Scholar for four months developing joint research projects between Dalhousie and UFRN. He is hosted by Dr. Michael Ungar, Canada Research Chair in Child, Family and Community Resilience and the Resilience Research Centre.